Phase I of CST-Uran rail corridor work to begin by May end

The work for Phase 1 of the new railway corridor of CST-Uran on harbor route is all set to begin by May end. This new route will provide connectivity to the Ulwe node bang opposite to the upcoming Navi Mumbai international airport.

The new corridor is being built based on 67:33 cost ratio of CIDCO and Central Railway in the city. Both the parties said, “yes, there’s a slight delay, but it will be finally be done and trains will be running.”

The two-decade-year-old project has faced many problems in the past. It has also been listed on the PRAGATI portal under direct watch of the PM. This portal consists of projects lagging and big ticket ones for completing deadlines.

CIDCO already once had extended the date from December 2017 to March 2018, but because of some work that was unable to be completed, the commissioning date had to be extended for more two months.

Currently, three new stations, Targhar, Bamandongri, and Kharkopar, are under construction under CIDCO. Targhar is the biggest and on elevated corridors. This station is the last mile connectivity by the proposed CST fast track elevated metro to the airport.

CIDCO officials said, “the Targhar station will take time to complete, but the platforms will be ready. The station is expected to be fully operational after the monsoon. As for the other two they will be functional when the train service will be commissioned.”

Central railway source said “the track laying work between Nerul and Seawoods Darave station was yet to be done. Besides, there was signaling and electrification work to be done and finally, the trail run for certificate from the commissioner of railway safety.

The new route will add 16km to the harbor route. The total distance of the Nerul-Belapur-Uran corridor is 27km. CR might start the service with one or two rakes for the short run from Nerul and Belapur to Kharpokar on the new route.